Apparatus for flowing oil wells



March 1s, 41930.-

- T. A. BEECHER APPARATUS FOR FLOWING OIL WELL S Filed April 8, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet l if. f

v l l. v

March 18, 1930. Tl A BEECHER 1,750,951

APPARATUS FOR FLOWING OIL WELLS Filed lApril 8. 1927 s sheets-sheet 2 i, w d

7/ Twg 99 w Y* March 18, 1930. T. A. BEECHER APPARATUS FOR FLOWING OIL WELLS Filed April 8, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheerl 3 Patented Mar. 18, 1930 v'.liI'llTJ'S ANDREW BEECHER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS APPARATUS FOR FLOWING OIL WELLS Application nled April 8, 1927. Serial No. 182,021.

My invention relates to improvements in the apparatus for controlling the flow of wells, especially oil and gas, and is more particularly adapted to utilize in a most elicient manner the natural gas contained within a well or fluid pressure which may be admitted thereinto.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide an apparatus in which is employed substantially three compartments, two of which are adapted to contain oil, while the other receives therein either the natural gas or fluid ressure admitted thereinto.

Another olbject in the invention is to provide means for flowing a liquid from a well in which the liquid will be allowed to collect therein and pass into a compartment from which it is removed by the natural gas or fluid pressure, and during its removal from the compartment additional liquid may be permitted to againcollect in the well.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a packer which separates the interior of a well into separate compartments for the reception of fluid pressure and liquid which may collect in the well and to prevent the pressure from acting upon the liquid only at certain periods. l

Still another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the class set forth having therein a pressure control valve so positioned with respect to the other parts of the apparatus that liquid engagement therewith is prevented, except in the initial insertion of the apparatus into a well or when a well is flowing an excessive amount of liquid.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus of the class described having therein a valve which controls the passage of fluid pressure for engagement with the liquid therebelow, thus elevating the liquid upwardly from a well.

Another o ject of the invention is to provide a valve so lpositioned with respect to the various other elements of the apparatus above described that the admission of iluid pressure upon a liquid may be controlled, and this iluid pressure being directed downward- 59 ly upon the liquid contained within the well.

well is periodic and this movement of the Another object of the present invention resides in providing a valve so constructed that its movement from a closed to an open position is controlled solely by fluid pressure within the well.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a valve having its movable element so constructed that its movement from a closed to an open position is controlled by the uid pressure within a well and above the packer together with fluid pressure which enters the well.- below the packer. This last said uid pressure may include the pressure exerted byl the oil.

Anot er object of the present invention resides in providing a valve having a movable part which when opened moves within a chamber, the chamber having means for permitting the escape of compressed air or liquid therefrom during the opening movement of the valve.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus of the class described including a pair of spaced packers for dividing the well bore into a number of compart- 7l ments, one packer being positioned adjacent the bottom of the well, and within thel producing sands, or thereabove if desired, while the other packer may be positioned at any de-` sired point throughout the remaining portion 80 of the well and above the first packer.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an a paratus of the class described in which the ow of liquid from the liquid being controlled by. a valve which opens upon the accumulation of a certain pressure thereagainst.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for dividing a well bore into a plurality of compartments and this means serving to separate the pressure from the liquid. n

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the several succes- 9 sive steps comprising my improved method, which will be hereinafter more fully described and set Jforth in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view taken i' through a well illustratingmy improved apparatus positioned therein.

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail view, in section, illustrating the orm of a valve which is used with the structure illustrated in Figures 1 and 5.

Figure 3 illustrates a modified form of an apparatus olf-substantially the same structure as illustrated in Figure 1 having therein a speciiicially. pointed out hereinafter.

. Figure 5 1s a further modified form of lmy invention showing an apparatus ofsubstantially the same arrangement, but wherein I employ two packers for dividing the well into several compartments, and 1 Figure 6 is a modified form of the valve ilf lustrated in Figure in det-ail,

Referring to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views, the numeral 1 indicates the bore of an oil well, the same passing through various productiveand non-productive formations. The well 1 has -drical casing-2 positioned therein a cylinwhich may project downwardly to any desired depth and having at.

its lower end a casing shoe'or the like 3 which l vsupports the casing within the well bore.

Theupper end of the casing 2 is exteriorly threaded and receives-thereon a pipe section f4, the upper end ofwhich is. closed by a header 5. The pipe section y4 has in connection therewith a valve controlled passage 6 through which oil, after it is elevated from the well, may How. e

.The header 5 is provided with a central bore 7 through which passes a sectional pipe 8 extending downwardly to any desired depth within the bore ofthe well 1. The upper l endof the-,pipe 8 is closed by a header 9 which has in communication trolled inlet 10,through which fluid under therewith a valve conpressure may be admitted.

The lower end of the pipe 8 has 'connected thereto a valve body 11 to the lower portion of which is connected a pipe section or nipple 12, thev latter having connected thereto, by a flanged ring 13, a second pipe section 14 which projects downward to approximately the bottom 'of the well.

The flanged ring 13 includes a horizontally disposed flange 15 and'a depending flange 16, the latter being interiorly threaded and receiving therein a pipe section 17 upon the exterior of which is positioned a packer which I will hereinafter describe, while the in Figurev 4..

Hange 15 has positioned therein a plurality of liquid passages 15.

The pipe 17 has adjacent its connection with the depending liange 16 a threaded portion which receives thereon a ring 18 and abutting this ring, and slidable upon the pipe 17, is a acker 19 formed of yielding material. ositionedbelow they packer 19 is a second ring 20 which is likewise slidable upon the pipe section 17 and which spaces from the packer 19 a second packer 21, the latter being supported by a ring 22 slidable upon the pipe 17.

To expand the packers 19 and 21 during the positioning of the device within a well bore, I have providedthe pipe 17 at its lower which is adapted to abut against a similar flange 24 carried at the upper end of a pipe 25 and within whichv the pipe 17 is adapted to move to limit its upward movement. Thus it Will be seen that downward movement of the pipe section 17 within the pipe-25 will compress the paekers'19 and 21 and cause the samev to engage the inner wall of a well bore, thus preventing the passage of liquid or fluid pressure thereabout. i

The lower end of the nected to a second pipe section 26 by a collar 27 having formed integral therewith a diaphragm 28, the provided with a opening29 closed by a check valve 30, the pipe section 26 having formed therein-a plurality of openings `31 through which -liquid may freely pass.

The valve shown in combination with this structure and illustrated generally by the reference numeral 11 is more specilically definedy tion 38 of a valve member 39 may pass. The

lower portion of the reduced section of the valve 38 is adapted to and closing an opening 41 formed therein. To normally hold the valve39 in a closed position I have positioned within the valve chamber 35 a coil spring 42, one end of which rests upon the vupper face of the valve`39, while theother abuts a perforated disc '43 carried by a threaded stem 44, adjustable within a plug 45 closing the the vertical bore 35. The stem 44 carries at its upper end a suitable thumb engaging portion and a lock nut 46 which is adapted to hold the screw 44 in vany desired position.

ToA relieve the compression, and any liquid or pressure, which may seep past the valve 39,-I have provided a check valve con,vr

central portion of which isy seat upon a diaphragm 40, `formed integral with the pipe section 32,

upper end of pipe section 25 is conizo from the bore 35 and into the escaping oil and pressure. n v

Surroundin the opening 37 formed in the closed end of t e bore 35, and through which the reduced portion 38 of the valve passes,

is a plurality of passages 48 through whichl fluid pressure may pass and engage the enlarged portion of the valve 39.

In the operation of the structure hereinbefore described, particularly that structure set forth in Figures 1 and 2, it will be assumed that the apparatus is being positioned within a well having therein a `quantity of oiland as the apparatusillustrated in Figure 1 is lowered within a Well the pipe section 26 will first abut the well bottom and as its downward movement is thus prevented, a further downward movement of the pipe 8, and the pipe v17 connected thereto, vcauses the latter to move downwardly within the pipe lsection 25, thus 'compressing the packersv19 and 21 and causing the same to engage the 'wall ofthe well bore. The apparatus is now in position for the withdrawal of o1l `within the well and assuming that the valve 39 is closed, oil will pass upwardly within the pipe 14. thus compressing between its up- Aper face .and the closed valve natural gas pressure or the like that may be confined within the pipe 14, oil will at the same' time pass upwardly within the pipes 25 and 17 and through passages 15 .formed in the horizontal flange l5 and to a height such as indicated by the arrow A.l It is, of course, to be understood that the height of the liquid within the pipe 14 and within the well bore varies under numerous conditions, but it is the purpose here to point out that the oil within the pipe 14 does not at any time assume a height equal to that in the well bore.

After this condition has taken place fluid pressure is admitted through the inlet 10 and downwardly of the pipe 8 into the passage 34 sourrounding the valve body. .The pressure then passes upwardly through the passages 48 surrounding the reduced portion 38 of the valve, and as it moves upwardly through these passages it is caused to engage the larger portion 39 of the valve. The engagement of this fluid pressure with the larger portion 39 of the valve together with the engagement of what pressure has been compressed within the pipe 14 upon the reduced end 38, moves the valve upwardly against the tension of the spring 42, thus permitting the free flow of pressure through'the opening 41. In the event that any liquid or fluid pressure has passed beyond the valve 39 and within the bore 35, the upward movement of the valve forces this pressure and liquid' outwardly through the check controlled passage 47.

As the oil and pressure pass downwardly through the pipe 14, they will force the oily therein downwardly' and then upwardly through the pipe sections 25 and 17 and .thus preventing an outlet for the oil contained thereabove only through the passages 15. Durinv the removal of the oil from above the va ve 30, additional oil is permitted to collect within the bottom of the well, indicated by the letter B and immediately upon the escape of the oil and pressure above the valve 30, the valve 30 will open andadmit into the compartment C, oil thatv has collected in the compartment B, whereupon the operation is repeated.

In Figure 3 wherein I have indicated a modified form of my invention, in which it will be noted that the flow of the liquid and fluid pressure isreversed and in which practically the same elements as described in Figure- 1 are employed, with the exception of a valve which operates directly opposite to that disclosed in Figure 2 and which is more spcically illustrated in Figure 4.

In referring to Figure 3 the well bore 50 has positioned therein the usual casing l51 upon which is positioned a pipe section 52, the upper end of which is closed by a header 53. The pipe section 52 has connectedl therewith a valve controlled inlet 54, through which Huid under pressure may be admitted for the elevation of oil from the bot` tom of the well.

The header 53 has passing downwardly thereof a flow pipe 5,5 which is composed of a-plurality of pipe sections, kone of which 56 includes a valve illustrated in Figure 4 and which will be hereinafter more fully described.

Connected to the valve section 56 is a downwardly projectingvpipe 57 which extends approximately the entire length of the well. The valve section 56 is furtherprovided with a depending flange 58 to which is connected a nipple 59, the latter having connected to its lower end, by a ring 60, a pipesection 61 upon which is slidable a packer 62 of the class hereinbefore described. Also slidable upon the pipe section 61 is a ring 63 which rests upon a flange 64 of a pipe section 65 within which the section 61 is movable. To prevent the withdrawal of the pipe section 61 from the section 65, the former has formed at its lower end a horizontal flange 66 whichengages the flange 64 and limits the upward movement of the pipe 6l within the pipe 65.

The lower end of the pipe section has connected thereto, by a collar 67,-a section 68 which is provided with a plurality of openings 69 through which liquid may pass. The collar 67 is also provided with a diaphragm 70, the central portion of whichhas l 1 y M passage of oil `from the bott-om ofthe well-to vthe vinteriortof the an Opening 71, Closedby a check valye 72. i Uponwreferringto Figure'et wherein kIhave indicated more specifically the structure of n the valve used in connection with the appa-y .ratus disclosed in 'Figure' 3, it will rbe observed f that thelvalve body 56-.has formed centrally thereof an opening? 3 -whichalignswith the interior of the pipe sections`55-and 57. v The body vv56 .isprovided j with a vertical" bore 74 in which ismovablera'valve 7 5 similar in vstructure to that disclosed' in'Figure 2 `a`nd` which includes .an enlarged. portion-7 6 and la reduced portion 77,-.the:reduced'portionf 'closinganopening v7 8 fformedwithin a horizontal` v,wall 7 9.- j Communicating withthe opening-78,fi1s a passage 80 through which iiuid pressure may entera` lAlsofsurro'unding v the reduced portion 77` ,of` the valveis a lup rality. of openings 81 "through which the uid pass and; engage the enlarged portion 76 of the valve.v Thisvalve also in-r cludes-a spring 82 whichis adapted to hold the valve uponits seatv andthe springbeing adjusted bythemeans `illustrated generally by the numeral 83, this.meanstin'cluding'al perforated` disc 84 through whichiiuid or liquid that has `passed beyond the valve' vmay pass and escape through an opening 85into the oil *as it moves fromA they bottomv ofthe n well. v.

In thewopeltiltOn Ofi,thisstructulle,V `the ab. params is POSODGd Within a well as hereinv before pointed out, and` what oil there is with'- in the` wellwill pass .upwardly through the valve 72 into the'v pipes 65 and-61 and assume such a heightin the latter asdetermined by the natural gas yand air. pressure kcompressml between the closed valvelandthe upper face of the'oil, while the'oil vwithin the pipe 5T may assume' such aheight asy depends upon'the quantity of oilwithinthe well. After'the partshave assumed their proper positions, iuid pressure is `admitted through .the inlet 54 andpasses downwardly untileitengages the enlarged portion 76 ofthe valve, andthisv pressure ytogether v with that -pressure which is bearing uponthe smaller end 77y of the valve will move thevalve'. upwardly from its' seat, thus permitting the passageof Huid pres-y sure thro'ughatheopening278, after which it is directed downwardly upon the oil coniined within the pipe 6l and*` 65 and around 'the pipe57 therein. `The pressure thus exerted upon the oil irsttends to closethe Valve l72, preventing the escape of oil through the opening 71 and the pressure bearing uponthe oil moves the same upwardly through the flow pipe, vcomposed of., 1the sections l 57. v and c 55, `toy Va discharge opening 86 connected therewith. n When thevalve 72 ycloses lthe opening71 additional liquid mayenter into the lower end of the well and collect therein until all oil y above'the outlet pipefhas been fremovedand the pressure upon thevalve 72 relieved,"after section '102 isa which the valve ywillfopen and permit the A .pipe165twhereup0n the cycle ofoperationlrepeats .itself. i t In Figure wherein/,ILhave,v `illustrated a rfurther modified form y.of-,the invention, the vwell ybore `90 has positioned therein acylinwhich supports the :casing within `g the well 'y kbore] s' The upper, end, ofthe ,casing 91 is exteriorly threaded and ref zeivesv thereonl a pipe sectionfj, the upper end of which is rclosedby a headler',196,k The pipe `secti'onv95 l ha'sfi'n connection therewith a valve-.controlled vated from the Wellimayllow.

The l header 96klv is, ,previdedvwah a eine bore"98 `through whichfpasses,asectional pipe z "99 `which' extends Cdovvnwardly to any; desired `depth Within" the; bore-fof the v. l wel1f901ff The upper end ofthe pipe. 99 'is closed bya header 100' `which has in communication therewithl a valve controlled inlrrtv 101y through which fluid yunder pressure may be admitted.

` he lowerend of` the pipef99'carriesa Section h102,`'egterierly threaded, as-,indicatedat I, to lreceive thereon a ring l104:, 'and :abutting this Vrin'glOv and slidable upon the pipe n packer.,- 105 ;-supported,by 1a sliding .ring v106, which restspupon a flanged end V107of a pipe section 108, thefilanged'end 1 07 engagingl a. similar'iiangey 109 formed upon thel lower end 'ofthe pipevsection 102. Thus it will be seen that downward movement ofthe pipe,I sectionl 102,v will-,compressvthe packer ,105l fand yforce Athe Ysame s outwardly against'the bore ofthe well, thus preventing the passage of either luidunder pressure 'or liquid thereabout. l f l In the forni-.illust intended to permit the flow of y1iquidand possibly pressure, .upwardly I. through the packenandto do this the, packerf105- is?v ro videfdwith 'av plurality offrvertically exten ing passages 11.0 vfor1ned by pipe .nsections;.connected in' any vdesired mannen to ,the ring 104,;

the` pipe sectionsfllO `l`thus forminggpassages forl liquid o'r .pressure and ,at ,thev same time fornnn upperend of thepipesfllO;l as having thereabout cages 11,1the purpose of whichbeing to form a protectonfor; the uppercends of the guides y.for the;` lverticalmovement of the ypac er 105 and the ring-:106. y'As illus#y trat-ed in lthe drawings I have: *shownr the i v zend. ofthepipe sectionf108 isA c t threaded andl receives 'thereon av 4collar-112-`125 smaller pipe 1,13 .which projects downwardl `tofaprliroximately the bottom vof the'y wel They lower end of the pipek section 113ci's providedpwith a'jhoriz'onta'l flange '114 which is f adapted toi-engage with asir'nilarv flange-115 formed integral with a pipe section 116 and upon which a packer 117 rests.

As in the former packer 105, the packer 117 is formed of any suitable material and is adapted to engage a stationary ring 118 carried by the pipe section 113 and supported by a ring 119 slidable upon the said pipe section and resting upon the flange 115 of the pipe 116. Thus it will vbe seen, as above pointed out, that when the pipe section 116 engages the bottom of a well bore the continued downward movement of the pipe 99 will cause the packer 117 to expand and engage the wall of the well. It is, of course, to be understood that when positioning the apparatus herebefore set forth the packer 117 will first engage the wall of the well, after which the engagement of the packer 105 therewith will take place.

The foregoing constitutes the structure of the apparatus disclosed in Figure 5 and when the same is positioned within a well bore having therein oil, the oil is adapted to first pass into the lower pipe section 116 through perforations 120 formed therein, upwardly through the pipe 113 and -through a check valve 121 formed therein and after passing beyond the check valve the liquid will llow outwardly of the pipe 113, through perforations 122 formed therein and into the compartment formed between the packers 105 and 117. It is, of course, to be understood that in the event suticient liquid is within the well bore, it will assume a certain height within the lower portion of the pipes 99 and 108 and will pass upwardly through the passages 110 formed in the packer 105.

Assuming that the structure illustrated in Figure 5 is positioned within a well bore and it is desired to remove the liquid therefrom, fluid pressure is admitted into the pipe 99, through the valve controlled passage 101, and as the uid pressure passes downwardly through vthe pipe, it will bear upon the oil therein forcing the same downwardly, closing the valve 121, thus causing the liquid to pass outwardly through the perforations 122 and upwardly through the passages 110 in the papker 105 and then to the discharge passa e 9 In the structure which has just been described it will be noted that I have eliminated the use of such valves as areillustrated in Figures 2, 4 and 6 as it is to be understood that the valve may be dispensed with if desired, but if such a valve is used it may be placed at any point within the pipe 99, but preferably at a point indicated by the letter X in Figure 5.

In the event a valve is used within the pipe 99, as illustrated broadly in Figure 5, the valve being normally closed, the liquid will, upon its entrance into the pipe 102 compress any gas or air pressure that may lie between the valve and its upper portion. From this point on the operation is the same as that hereinbefore set forth.

Furthermore, from the fore oing it will be apparent that in all forms I ave divided a well bore into three compartments, one of which initially receives therein the liquid as it enters the well bore, the second of said oompartments receiving the liquid from the 'former and its entry being controlled by a suitable valve, while the third has therein fluid pressure used in elevating the liquid from the second compartment. While the liquid is being removed from the second compartment, its entry valve is closed and liquid collects within the first, but after the liquid has been removed from the second compartment and the pressure upon the inlet valve relieved, it willogen and permit the liquid to pass from the rst compartment into the second, at which time the cycle of operation 1s repeated. l

The luid pressure is admitted into the second compartment by a special valve which is controlled solely by the Huid pressures and not by the oil and fluid pressure, as disclosed 1n my other application iled December 24th 1926 and bearing Serial No. 156,866. By this structure I am enabled to provide a valve that will function more evenly under all conditions than has been done heretofore, the reason being due to the fact that oil does not at any time engage the valve and deposit thereon, or in any of its parts, sand, salt water, paraiiine or the like. i It is, of course, to be understood, as herelnbefore pointed out, that oil may possibly engage the valve during the initial placement of the apparatus in a well and in wells wherein the quantity of oil contained therein is excessive, but this engagement of oil with the valve does not continue to such a length of time as would tend to deteriorate or prevent the valve from operatingproperly.

In Figure 6 of the drawings I have illustrated substantially the same type of valve illustrated in Figure 4 and used with the structure disclosed in Figure 3, but wherein it will be observed that the body 123 of the valve is positioned within the pi e section 124, thus giving an obstructed sur ace to the exterior of the flow pipe, the valve body being positioned within the line of iow and thus permitting the use of smaller pipe so as to operate in wells of smaller diameter.

From the foregoing, it is thought that the construction, operation and many advantages of the herein described invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without further descri tion, and Ait will be understood that various changes in the size, shape, proportion and minor details of construction may be resorted to'without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Having thus fully described my invention.

what Iy claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, ris: l p

1. In a liquid Aelevating a paratus, the combination of anow pipe an 4a Huid res- 5 surev pipe, apacker for supporting one o said pipes within the bore of a vwell and dividing the same into separate 1i uid and fluid vpressure compartments, said lquid. compartment having connected thereto the flow pipe,

means included within the packer for positioning the same within the well bore and dividing thegother of said compartments into separate chambers, the latter receivin therein oil, and a Huid pressure operate valve for controlling the entrance of fiuidpressure fromthe pressure compartment into one f of said chambers for removlng the liquid upp wardly therefrom through the flow pipe. p

2. In v"a liquidA elevatmg apparatus,r the 1 zo combination of a How pipe and a fluid pressure pipe, a packer for supporting one of rsaid ipe's wlthin the bore ofa well and dividlng the same into liquid and fluid presl sure compartments, said liquid compartment z5 having connected thereto the How pipe, means included Within the packer for positioning the same withinthe well bore and dividing. one of said compartments into separate chambers, the latter receiving therein oil, avalve connecting one chamber with vthe r other, and a lluid pressure operated valve for controlling the entrance of fluid pressure from the ressure compartment into one of said cham ers for removing the liquid therefrom and closing the valve .communicating with the other of said chambers.

3. In a liquid elevating a paratus, the combination of a flow pipe an a fluid ressure pipe, a packer for supporting one o said i 4o pipes Within the bore of a well and dividing the same into liquid and Huid pressure compartments, the vformer having connected thereto the flow pipe, a valve positioned above said packer and operated by fluid pressure for permittingvthe entrance of fluid pressure` from one compartment into the other Vfor removing the oil therefrom, and said valve havin a relief port through which leakage into its -namber may escape'with the 5u oil and pressure.

4;. Inr a liquid elevating a paratus, -the combination of a ow pipe an a. fluid pres sure pipe, a acker for supporting one of said pipes'wlthin the bore `of a well fand dividlng the same into separatewcom art ments, one of which receives therein oi and avalve Eositioned above said packer and operated g fluid pressure for permitting the entrance o iluid pressure from one compartment into the other for removingthe foil therefrom.

In testimony whereof I aix pm si ature.

TITUS ANDREW B. Il R 

